Binding post



Feb- 11, 1930. c. J. DUNZWEILER 1,746,539

BINDING POST July 8' ,MIM

,S516 WMMVCM Patented Feb. 11, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARL J. DUNZWEILER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO WILLARD STORAGE BATTERYCOMIANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO BINDING roer Application filed July7 S, 1927. Serial No. 204 196.

This invention relates to improvements in binding posts for use in electric apparatus of various kinds.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a binding post with which a terminal wire may be connected or disconnected rapidly, and which very effectively grips the wire or conductor so as to form a low resistance connection.

m Another object isthe provision of a binding post that is completely insulated so that it is impossible for the operator to receive an electric shock from the post.

Further objects, and objects relating to details of construction and economies of manufacture, will appear as I proceed with the description of that embodiment of the invention which, for the purposes of the present application, I have illustrated in the accompanying` drawings, in which,-

Figure 1 is a plan view of a fragment of a terminal panel or base member with my binding posts applied thereto.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the same.

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of a fragment of the panel.

Figure 4 is a central longitudinal sectional view of lny binding post and a fragment of the base member upon which it is mounted.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4,` but showing the parts `in the position which they assume when a terminal wire is in place in the post, and

Figure 6 is a side elevation, partly in secf tion, of the sleeve clamping member.

In the drawing the base member or panel is indicated at 10. Any number of binding posts may, of course, be mounted upon such a panel.. Itis constructed preferably of some hard insulating material of such character that it may be readily molded to the desired form. The panel is provided with sockets 11 of generally circular form, each of which is interrupted, however, by a projection`12 of wedge shape extending into the socket in a radial direction and to a depth equal to the depth of the socket. A ridge 13 integral with the base surrounds the socket 11 but terminates on each side of the projection 12 and there merges into parallel ridges 14, 14, which together constitute a guide for terminal wires that may be inserted into the binding post.

The binding post proper comprises a squared portion 15, the lower end of which sets into a squared depression 16 at the center of the socket 11. The lower end of the post consists of a threaded stud 17 which projects through a hole in the base 1() and receives a nut 18, by means of which the post is clamped in place. There is a perforation 19 extending entirely through the post in alignment with the guide formed by ridges 14, 14 and with a flared end 20 presented toward the guide. The bottom of the perforation 20 is on a level with the surface of the panel between the ridges 14,14. To the upper end of the post there is securely attached a fianged cap 21 'of insulating material, preferably molded in place on the post.

A clamping sleeve 22 is mounted for sliding movement on the binding post and has an outer diameter such as to produce a good sliding fit within the socket 11. The lower portion of the sleeve has a central squared opening to slidably fit the squared portion 15 of the post, while the upper portion of the sleeve has a larger cylindrical opening 23 which surrounds and slides upon the cap 21. A coil spring 24 is mounted within the opening 23, bearing at its lower end upon the base of that opening and at its upper end upon the cap 21. In the lower end of the sleeve 22 there is a slot 25 which has flared or beveled walls to fit the sides of the wedge 12, and serving also to properly direct a terminal wire as it is being inserted into the post. Beyond the squared opening in the sleeve the slot 25 has an extension 26 which stops short of the side wall of the sleeve. An enlargement or rounded collar 27 is formed upon the sleeve at its upperV end to provide a grip for the fingers of the operators hand. M

In Figure 4 the binding post is illustrated with the clamping sleeve in the position which it assumes when the post is not in use, that is, when there is no terminal wire inserted. When it is desired to insert a wire, the operator places the thumb of one hand on the cap 21 and slips the first and second {ingers of the same hand under opposite sides of the collar 27 on the sleeve. He then exerts lifting pressure upon the sleeve, raising it until the slot 25 therein exposes the flared end 20 of the perforation 19 in the post and the extension 26 of the slot is also then in line with the perforation. Thereupon with his other hand he pushes the end of the terminal wire along the surface of the panel in the guide formed by ridges 14, 14 and over the surface of the projection 12, through the flared slot 25, and thence through the perforation 19 into the slot extension 26. Now by relieving the lifting pressure on the sleeve 22 the spring 24 is permitted to depress the sleeve. The upper walls of the slots 25 and 26 thereupon bear down upon the wire and press it against the lower side of the perforation 19, as shown in Figure 5, where the wire is marked 28, thereby making a low resistance electrical Contact almost entirely across the post- Of course, when the wire is to be removed the reverse operation is followed, that is, the sleeve is lifted by its collar 27 against the action of spring 24, thereby relieving pressure on the wire 28 and permitting it to be readily withdrawn.

It will be noted that the fiange on the cap 21 acts as a stop to limit the upward movement of the sleeve, while the bottom of the socket 11 limits its downward movement. There are no metal parts exposed, and consequently there is no possibility of electric shock to the operator, so long as he grips the wire 28 by its insulation, that is behind the skinned end thereof. I provide double insurance against disalignment of the parts by mounting the lower end of the squared portion 15 of the post in a squared depression combined with the squared sliding surfaces between the post and sleeve 22 as well as by the provision of the projection 12 over which works the slot 25 of the sleeve.

However, the principal functions of the projection 12 are to prevent the accidental movement of a wire downwardly along the post instead of horizontally into the perforation of the post, and also to facilitate correct assembly of the parts. While in the drawing I have shown the sleeve 22 sliding in a socket in the base member, and while this is my preferred construction, still it is only essential that this sliding connection be such as to cover or enclose the binding post in all positions of adjustment of the sleeve and, therefore, I have referred to this connection hereinafter as a slidable plug and socket connection.

Other variations from the detail disclosure herein may be resorted to without dep arting from the spirit ofthe invention, and therefore I desire it to he understood that such detail disclosure has been resorted to primarily for the purpose of fully illustrating the invention and is not to be construed as amounting to a limitation upon the scope thereof.

I-Iaving thus described my invention what I claim as new is 1. In combination, a base member, a binding post fixed in said base member and projecting therefrom, said post having an opening therein adapted to receive a terminal wire, a clamping sleeve slidable on said post and having an opening adapted to be brought into alignment with said post opening, said base member and sleeve having a slidable plug and socket connection enclosing said post in all positions of adjustment of the sleeve.

2. In combination, a base member, a binding post fixed in said base member and projecting therefrom, said post having an opening therein adapted to receive a terminal wire, and a clamping sleeve slidable on said post having an opening adapted to be brought into alignment with said post opening, said base member havinga socket into which said sleeve extends in all positions of adjustment.

3. In combination, a base member of insulating material, a binding post fixed in said base and projecting therefrom, an insulating cap for said post, said post having an opening therein adapted to receive a terminal wire, a clamping sleeve of insulating material slidable on said post and said cap and having an opening adapted to be brought into alignment with said post opening, said base 'member and sleeve having a slidable plug and socket connection enclosing said post in all positions of adjustment of the sleeve.

4. In combination, a base member, a binding post fixed in said base member and projecting therefrom, said post having an opening therein, a sleeve slidable on said post and having a longitudinal slot therein, and a projection on said base fitting said slot and engaging the saine in all positions of the sleeve.

5. In combination, a base member, a binding post fixed in said base members and projecting therefrom, said post having an opening therein, a sleeve slidable on said post and having a longitudinal slot therein, and a projection on said base fitting said slot, the top of said projection being adapted to direct a wire into said opening.

6. In combination, a base member, a binding post fixed in said base member and projecting therefrom, said post having an opening therein above the surface of said base member, a clamping sleeve movable upon said post toward and away from said opening, and a C-shaped guide on the surface of said base member surrounding said sleeve, the opening in said guide being positioned opposite the opening in said post.

7. In combination, a base member having a socket therein, a binding post fixed in said base member at the center of said socket and projecting therefrom, said post having an opening therein just above the surface of said base member, a clamping sleeve slidable upon said post Within said socket, said sleeve having a longitudinal slot therein, and a projection in said socket fitting said slot, the top of said projection being on a level with the surface of said base.

8. In combination, a base member having a socket therein, a binding post fixed in said base member at the center of said socket and projecting therefrom, said post having an opening therein just above the surface of said base member, a clamping sleeve slidable upon said post Within said socket, said sleeve having a longitudinal slot therein, a projection in said socket fitting said slot, the top of said projection bein@r on ay level With the surface of said base, and guides on said base adapted to direct a terminal Wire through said slot over said projection and into said opening.

9. In combination, a base member, a binding post fixed in said base member and projecting therefrom, said post having an opening therein above the surface of said base member, a clamping sleeve movable upon said post, and cooperating side guides upon said base member and sleeve for directing a ter minal vvire toward said post.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my si gnature.

CARL J. DUNZWEILER. 

